Huge Cahill news boosts Socceroos

THE Socceroos' hopes of getting to the World Cup have been given a significant boost after Tim Cahill received the all-clear to travel to Honduras for the first leg of their make-or-break playoff.

Teammate Robbie Kruse, though, has been ruled out of the first leg and will travel straight to Sydney in the hope of being fit for the return fixture.

Cahill will fly on Monday, a day later than planned, despite the swelling in his ankle causing by landing awkwardly during Melbourne City's loss to Sydney FC on Friday night.

Though a final decision has not yet been made on whether Cahill will be fit to play, the very fact he is deemed ready to make the lengthy trip to the city of San Pedro Sula indicates a level of confidence much higher than in the immediate aftermath of the injury.

"Cahill was cleared of a fractured ankle on Saturday, however he will require continued assessment and treatment before a determination regarding his eligibility for the forthcoming matches is made by the Socceroos' medical and coaching staff," Football Federation Australia said in a statement.

Kruse has missed two games for his club Vfl Bochum this week with a knee injury, and has been working with Socceroos physio Les Gelis in Germany to try to be fit.

He will be spared the trip to Honduras and will join teammates Mathew Leckie and Mark Milligan - both suspended for the first leg - in travelling straight to Sydney.

There are some question marks over Leckie's involvement in the second leg having missed two club games with a thigh injury.